ISCF - Student Funding Support - University of Warwick

International Students' Childcare Fund

The International Students' Childcare Fund (ISCF) is intended to provide discretionary financial help to enable International and EU students with pre-school-age children in an approved childcare facility to pursue a course of study.

Eligibility

You are a registered international or EU student on a course of study leading to a formal qualification (e.g. Undergraduate degree, Master's or PhD).
You have a child or children attending the University Nursery or another registered/approved childcare facility. Please note your child must have started at the nursery/childcare facility before you apply.

If you would like clarification on whether your particular enrolment status or course excludes you from applying, please contact Student Funding Support at studentfunding@warwick.ac.uk

Financial assistance will not be provided for:

Childcare which is not Ofsted registered.
Students who are unable to evidence that they have made adequate financial provision before starting their studies
Students with access to savings or alternative funding (including interest-free overdrafts) which could meet their funding shortfall
Students who have made significant non-essential purchases within the academic year which have subsequently left them in or contributed to their financial hardship
Students who have not taken out their full entitlement to any available government funding
Students who are 'Awaiting Exam Board', 'Permanently Withdrawn' or in 'Limbo'.
Students who are on a Degree Apprenticeship programme of study
Students visiting the University on an exchange programme of study.

What help can I expect to get?

Awards from the ISCF are needs-related and assessed on a case-by-case basis. As a result, we are unable to give a clear indication of the likely value of any possible award until an application has been submitted and the assessment process completed.

There is no guarantee that funds will be awarded in every case, and consequently, some applications will be unsuccessful.

Awards are usually only given for childcare during university term time and up to 10 weeks of the summer break.
The award will cover up to 50% of the actual childcare costs for each 10-week term or 10 weeks of the summer period.
If your child is 3 or 4 years old and eligible for free nursery education, this will be taken into account, and any award due may be reduced.
If your child attends fewer sessions than originally assessed, your award will be adjusted accordingly.

Childcare Funding – Important Information

Funding is approved only for the current academic year. If you need support in future years, you must reapply, and funding is not guaranteed. We can only fund the agreed number of childcare sessions per 10-week term or 10 weeks of the summer period. Extra sessions may be considered at the end of the year if budget allows. Funding is initially awarded for one child only (the one with the highest costs). Support for additional children may be considered later in the year, depending on the budget. To request extra funding (for additional sessions or children), please contact Student Funding Support at: studentfunding@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window towards the end of the academic year.

Please note that if your enrolment status changes during the application and assessment process, then you may become ineligible to receive support from ISCF (e.g., students who become permanently withdrawn or Postgraduate Research students whose registration status becomes 'Limbo: Thesis' ).

How do I apply?

Applications to ISCF are made via an online form. You will need to be logged into your University account whilst completing the form to be able to submit it.

The link to the application form can be found below:

Application for Students WITH Child Dependents.Link opens in a new window

You will be able to save the above application to return to at a later date, if required.

How do I submit my evidence?

When you complete your online application, you will need to upload your evidence at the end of the form.

You can find a list of possible evidence needed at the end of the application form. However, if you want to prepare these beforehand, please visit our Evidence ChecklistLink opens in a new window webpage for a comprehensive list.

You will also need to submit a Childcare Information FormLink opens in a new window and (if applicable) a partner a Partner Information FormLink opens in a new window

If you struggle to upload your evidence to your online application or want to submit evidence at a later date, you can send it via email to .

ISCF Appointment

Once we have received your application form and supporting documentation, we will contact you to arrange a short, confidential appointment with a Student Funding Adviser.

Appointments ordinarily take 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Appointments are informal and will allow you to discuss your circumstances in detail.
The adviser will ordinarily conduct appointments via Microsoft Teams. However, if you would prefer to attend a face-to-face appointment then please let us know and we will try to accommodate your request.
Once you book your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email.

To assess your application, the Student Funding Support team use guidance issued by the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA)Link opens in a new window

During your appointment, the adviser will ask questions to fully understand your circumstances. These questions are not intended to be intrusive, but they allow the adviser to assess your financial situation completely. For example, they may:

Refer to your bank accounts, credit history and spending patterns.
If applicable, refer to your partner's bank statements and evidence.
Explore opportunities for part-time work and other funding available.
Ask for further evidence before they can complete your assessment.

ISCF Assessment and Outcomes

After your appointment, your Student Funding Adviser will create a report and carry out an income and expenditure assessment based on your appointment and application form. This is then submitted to the Student Funding Manager for review and approval. The Student Funding Support team work within NASMA guidelines for the assessment of awards and distribution of funds.

Providing we have received all your required documentation prior to your appointment, you will be notified of the outcome of your application via email within 10 working days. Successful applicants' awards will be paid as follows:

Students with a child attending the University Nursery

If your child attends the University Nursery, we will credit any award to your University account at the start of every term.

If you reduce the number of sessions that your child attends the University Nursery, your award will be amended accordingly.

Students with a child attending an external childcare provider

If your child attends an external childcare provider, we will send your external childcare provider “Childcare Attendance Sheets” to complete online.

The Childcare Attendance Sheets need to be completed by your external childcare provider at the end of every term (or summer vacation) for which your award as been approved to confirm:

The number of sessions your child has attended.
The cost breakdown of your childcare during this time.
Any government funding that your child has received during this time.

Your external childcare provider may need to submit signed receipts/invoices to confirm that you have paid for your childcare in the first instance. The receipts/invoices must be on headed paper and include the Ofsted Childcare Provider Number. They should attach these to the Childcare Attendance Sheet online or email us directly at studentfunding@warwick.ac.uk

Once we have received the completed Childcare Attendance Sheet and any evidence from your childcare provider:

Your award will be paid up to 10 working days later (provided you have uploaded your bank details to eVision).
Please note, we can only make payments into UK bank accounts or some digital accountsLink opens in a new window. We cannot make payments in cash.

If you reduce the number of sessions that your child attends the childcare provider, your award will be amended accordingly.

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

If you have any questions related to the ISCF or student funding in general, please do not hesitate to contact Student Funding Support:

Email:
Telephone: 024 7615 0096

You can also view our ISCF Guidance Notes 2024-25 for further information.